Top Topical Treatments for Pain and Inflammation

Sometimes you need a little extra help when you have pain and want to treat yourself at home. Topicals can help safely relieve local pain temporarily, reduce inflammation and even reduce soreness on an area that received a lot of work out or deep massage. Topicals are particularly helpful for muscle strains, arthritis and repetitive stress injuries. Fortunately they also usually have no side effects, unlikely systemic oral pain meds.

Over the years, I have tried many topicals. Here are my favorites. Remember everyone is different so its worth trying a different one if your body and particular issue at this time is not responding to the first topical treatment you try.

1. Naturlz Healing Cream - made in Oregon with natural herbal ingredients only. It worked wonders for my tendonitis and carpal tunnel. You can find this at local pharmacies or online. Because it has a coconut oil base, if it get warm at all it will spill orange oil all over everything. It contains many herbs that are highly reputed for pain relief in scientific studies. I find it works within 30 minutes. Its made by Tropiceel.
2. Topical CBD - I don't know a lot about CBDs but I tried some on my neck strain the other day and the pain went away completely and didn't come back. Slow but good, in works with our natural endocannabinoid receptors to reduce pain. In that sense it's kind of like melatonin. Its so safe because its like  something your body already naturally produces it. It is not supposed to make you high or test positive on a drug test. Locally and ecologically produced, Frog Song Farm produces hemp derived therapeutic CBD produced, but do your own research on these products if you have to take drug tests. If you purchase from Frog Song, they offer my clients an exclusive 10% discount using the code CB10.
   
3. Homepathic Gels - Traumeel and Sports Gel are both topical homeopathic remedies that alter your body's response to local inflammation. One time I was preparing for 60 mile bike race. The day before I got severe knee arthritis out of the blue. I put Traumeel and Sports Gel on and the next day rode 60 miles pain free. These products contain the most miniscule amounts of herbs and other natural remedies so adverse reactions are rare. Interestingly they may also contain substances like poison ivy, cayenne pepper, even one contained cobra venom. However, even if you have allergies to poison ivy or pepper, you will likely not have a reaction because the way they process it, there's almost nothing left but the energy of the substance. I find these at natural grocery stores.
4. Arnica Cream - I use this in my massage lotion. I also use it on myself. It is perhaps the most proven local pain reliever out there and it's one herb. Many companies make Arnica products, which can be purchased at almost any natural grocery store and some pharmacies. Kneipp is one of the higher Arnica content products.